Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrates with James Neal (18) after lifting a backhand shot over Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Anders Lindback, left, for a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 22, 2014. Malkin had two goals and two assists in the Penguins 4-3 overtime win. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin will miss two to three weeks while recovering from a foot injury.

Coach Dan Bylsma says the former MVP was hurt during his first shift in Sunday's 1-0 loss to St. Louis. Malkin played the rest of the game but did not practice Monday. The Penguins would not say which foot was injured.

Malkin is seventh in the league with 72 points despite missing 11 games for various reasons. Malkin had been playing some of his best hockey of the season before the injury, with four goals in three games.

Brandon Sutter will replace Malkin's spot on the second line. Bylsma said Malkin does not require surgery and the team anticipates Malkin being ready when the Stanley Cup playoffs start April 16.

Comments

The St. Paul Journal welcomes your opinions and comments. We do not allow personal attacks, offensive language or unsubstantiated allegations. We reserve the right to delete comments deemed inappropriate. We reserve the right to close the comments thread for stories that are deemed especially sensitive. For further information, please contact the editor or publisher.